Leron Gubler

The troubled Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has named Leron Gubler, a veteran administrator of the San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, to be its new executive director. Gubler will replace Brooke Knapp, an aviator and former business executive who was terminated in June after less than a year on the job. Her predecessor, Larry Kaplan, also lasted a year. Chris P.

Helen Mirren, Oscar winner for her performance in 2007's "The Queen," was queen for a day in Hollywood on Thursday, receiving the 2,488th star on the Walk of Fame. She even had a king to attend to her in her new home. "The 'queen's' star," said Leron Gubler, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president and chief exec, "is located right next to that of the 'king,' Colin Firth. We've kind of made this, in front of the Pig 'N Whistle, we've kind of made this a Brit location. " PHOTOS: Celebrity portraits by The Times After a few words from director Jon Turteltaub, writer-director David Mamet and Councilman Tom LaBonge, the droll Ms. Mirren had a few words of her own, captured on video by the chamber.

Re "L.A. Again Leads the World--This Time in Party Meekness," Jan. 2: Perhaps science fiction author Ray Bradbury has been delving in fantasy too long. His mean-spirited remarks about Hollywood only serve to perpetuate a stereotype that is no longer true. If he had been in Hollywood during the holidays, he would have seen that our sidewalks were packed with tourists. He would have seen our successful private security force, and he would have seen that Hollywood is not overrun with "the homeless, the druggers, the prostitutes and the mindless."

Months after revealing that he was battling prostate cancer, Dennis Hopper was back in front of the cameras on Friday when he received the 2,403rd star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. The 73-year-old actor, who disclosed his cancer last October, appeared to be in good spirits as he arrived for the ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Egyptian Theatre. Nevertheless, the actor has lost a significant amount of weight; his face, shaded partly by a newsboy cap, was gaunt and a heavy jacket hung off his body.

Helen Mirren, Oscar winner for her performance in 2007's "The Queen," was queen for a day in Hollywood on Thursday, receiving the 2,488th star on the Walk of Fame. She even had a king to attend to her in her new home. "The 'queen's' star," said Leron Gubler, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president and chief exec, "is located right next to that of the 'king,' Colin Firth. We've kind of made this, in front of the Pig 'N Whistle, we've kind of made this a Brit location. " PHOTOS: Celebrity portraits by The Times After a few words from director Jon Turteltaub, writer-director David Mamet and Councilman Tom LaBonge, the droll Ms. Mirren had a few words of her own, captured on video by the chamber.

I was disappointed to read Patt Morrison's June 24 column attacking the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and its administration of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sidney Poitier does have a star on the Walk of Fame. Jodie Foster has never been nominated for a star. Our committee would be happy to consider Foster, but cannot do so if an application is not submitted. To receive a Walk of Fame star is an honor--not an awards competition. Why present a star to someone who is not even willing to attend the ceremony?

Months after revealing that he was battling prostate cancer, Dennis Hopper was back in front of the cameras on Friday when he received the 2,403rd star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. The 73-year-old actor, who disclosed his cancer last October, appeared to be in good spirits as he arrived for the ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Egyptian Theatre. Nevertheless, the actor has lost a significant amount of weight; his face, shaded partly by a newsboy cap, was gaunt and a heavy jacket hung off his body.

The troubled Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has hired a career chamber executive from San Pedro to revamp its operations. * Leron Gubler, 41, will replace Brooke Knapp, an aviator and former business executive who was fired as president in June after just under a year on the job. Her predecessor, Larry Kaplan, also lasted a year. Chris P.

Even glitter and glamour can trickle down the economic ladder. In the wake of multimillion-dollar development initiatives in Hollywood, including the TrizecHahn and CineramaDome projects, a number of smaller projects have begun to sprout in the movie capital. Roughly 20 to 30 projects--primarily restaurants, clubs and retail/services stores--have recently been completed or are currently under construction or in the planning stages, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President Leron Gubler said.

A police car with red lights flashing and siren screaming tailing you? If you're driving on the Westside and are showing particularly good driving behavior, the officer just may want to issue a reward instead of a citation. Los Angeles police officers from the West Traffic Division will begin issuing free movie passes to good drivers today in an effort to promote safe driving during the holiday season. The movie passes, accepted at two major theater chains, are good for two people.

Re "L.A. Again Leads the World--This Time in Party Meekness," Jan. 2: Perhaps science fiction author Ray Bradbury has been delving in fantasy too long. His mean-spirited remarks about Hollywood only serve to perpetuate a stereotype that is no longer true. If he had been in Hollywood during the holidays, he would have seen that our sidewalks were packed with tourists. He would have seen our successful private security force, and he would have seen that Hollywood is not overrun with "the homeless, the druggers, the prostitutes and the mindless."

I was disappointed to read Patt Morrison's June 24 column attacking the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and its administration of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sidney Poitier does have a star on the Walk of Fame. Jodie Foster has never been nominated for a star. Our committee would be happy to consider Foster, but cannot do so if an application is not submitted. To receive a Walk of Fame star is an honor--not an awards competition. Why present a star to someone who is not even willing to attend the ceremony?

The troubled Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has hired a career chamber executive from San Pedro to revamp its operations. * Leron Gubler, 41, will replace Brooke Knapp, an aviator and former business executive who was fired as president in June after just under a year on the job. Her predecessor, Larry Kaplan, also lasted a year. Chris P.

The troubled Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has named Leron Gubler, a veteran administrator of the San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, to be its new executive director. Gubler will replace Brooke Knapp, an aviator and former business executive who was terminated in June after less than a year on the job. Her predecessor, Larry Kaplan, also lasted a year. Chris P.

Merchants in a six-block area along Hollywood Boulevard will have to remove certain signs and banners outside their stores or face being cited under a city ordinance designed to eliminate visual clutter.

Updates on the flurry of development projects in the works in Hollywood will be the focus of an Economic Development Summit today organized by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Organizers say the event, the first Hollywood chamber event of its kind open to the public, will give residents and business owners an overview of the major redevelopment projects slated for the faded movie capital.